10/03 - Huckleberry Preserve

There was only a small group (6) today. For the first time in three years we made the Huckleberry loop starting from the Pinehurst Gate. It is a short hike, about 2.7 miles, but feels longer due to the elevation changes. This time we went around the loop clockwise which seemed easier. Early lunch at the Manzanita barren. The hike ended on an up note...look for the surprise at the end of the pictures.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/NgC9DX

09/26 No Hike

Heat forecast, so we had a day off.

9/19 - Tilden

It was a big group today, including Delia who has not been hiking for quite a while and Charlotte who had been on a cruise to Alaska; 15 plus Oscar. With the weather warming, we hoped for some shade and breezes along with views from Seaview Tr. Shade we got, but it was very hazy so views were not great, especially to the west; breezes were almost non-existent. We had lunch in the shade at the junction with Lower Big Springs Tr. and took that down to So Park Dr. Drivers were shuttled back to the cars at the Steam Train parking lot. Just under 3.5 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Y5171F

09/12 - Pine Canyon

Only 9 of us today, but it meant we could all sit at one table for lunch.  It was only 10:45 when we reached the gate leading into Mt Diablo St. Park, so we kept going for another half hour before returning to the planned lunch spot just back into the Diablo Foothills Regional Park. The grape vines were only beginning to show color, but the poison oak was fully red. It is a good trail and altho there were other hikers, it is always a quiet and very peaceful place. A good walk on a warmish early fall day. About 4 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9zExc7

09/05 Lake Chabot

A dozen people and two dogs (Oscar came with Ron and Sylvia & Bob brought Bacchus) visited Lake Chabot. We walked the Eastshore Trail to the bridge and then went further up Cameron Loop, then back to the little trail which parallels the main trail and wanders thru the flood plain to find a spot for an early lunch. Finally there was the long tromp back and a stop at the snack shack for ice cream. Susan and Ulla each added additional distance by completing the Cameron Loop, Susan CCW and Ulla clockwise. 5.25 miles for most, 6 for the two adventurous ones.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/DM85j8

I didn't realize how much I depend on calflora until it was unreachable this afternoon. But I found helpful plant lists on the EBRPD website; one a district wide checklist and others specifically for the individual parks. Why didn't I know this sooner? http://www.ebparks.org/about/stewardship/plants/checklist.htm#District

8-22 Chabot RP

Eleven of us did a "new" hike...well, most of it was new to us. We started at the Chabot Equestrian Center on Skyline Blvd. and walked generally north along Goldenrod Tr to Ranch Tr. which took us down zig zags to the valley. Then we followed Grass Valley Tr to Bort Meadow for lunch and walked up toward Redwood Rd where we picked up McDonald Tr to take us back to Parkridge Dr. where Shirley's car was waiting to shuttle the drivers. Distance about 4.3 miles

We have walked the McDonald Tr from Parkridge in the past, but never done Goldenrod or Ranch Tr. Very few people out on a nice day for walking.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/S616D6

8/15 - So Shore Briones Reservoir

A dozen of us walked the 3.56 miles from the parking area at Bear Creek Rd, along the south shore of Briones Reservoir to the parking area at the dam. A hazy day, but not too warm and there was plenty of shade. Shirley's car was at the dam lot and she drove back for the other drivers. After collecting the hikers we headed to Briones Park for lunch. We really enjoyed watching hawks hunting for their lunch as we ate ours.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/vE9HsF